Apparatus and method for conditioning and strengthening

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for conditioning and strengthening two or more individuals while allowing observation of the competitive nature of the individuals. The apparatus includes a housing and at least two handles. The housing is constructed of elastomeric material and defines a fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid to provide the housing with a predetermined weight. The handles extend outwardly from the housing and are spatially disposed on the housing so as to permit the individuals to lift the housing and exert opposing forces on the housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to athletic training devices, and more particularly, to a conditioning and strengthening apparatus and methods for using same.

[0004] 2. Brief Description of Related Art

[0005] A number of devices exist that allow an individual to exercise and condition one's body. Some of these devices are used to test an individual's strength and skill by providing the device as a game of physical ability. However, such devices are intended only to exercise and strengthen a specific muscle group or train to improve a specific athletic skill. Such devices are not intent on displaying an individual's competitive nature.

[0006] Accordingly, a need exists for an apparatus and method that conditions and strengthens various muscle groups of an individual's body while providing an observer with a visual determination of the individual's competitive nature. It is to such an apparatus and method that the present invention is directed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conditioning and strengthening apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention being used by two individuals.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away top view of the conditioning and strengthening apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away side view of the conditioning and strengthening apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0010]FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away top view of another embodiment of a conditioning and strengthening apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a physical contest using the conditioning and strengthening apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, an apparatus 10 for conditioning and strengthening two individuals, such as individuals 11 and 12, is shown. The apparatus 10 includes a housing 14 and a plurality of handles 16 and 18. The housing 14 is shown as having a substantially cylindrical configuration. However, it should be understood that the housing 14 may be constructed in various shapes and the size of the housing 14 may be varied for use by individuals of different size and ability.

[0013] The handles 16 and 18 are substantially U-shaped members which extend outwardly from the housing 14 so as to be disposed substantially opposite one another. The handles 16 and 18 permit the individuals 11 and 12 to lift the housing 14 by grasping the handles 16 and 18. Once the individuals 11 and 12 have lifted the housing 14, the individuals 11 and 12 exert opposing forces on the housing 14. Though FIG. 1 shows the individuals 11 and 12 exerting opposing forces on the housing 14 by pulling the housing 14, it should be understood that the individuals 11 and 12 may exert opposing forces on the housing 14 by pushing the housing 14, as well as any other such combination of exerting opposing forces thereof.

[0014] The exertion of opposing forces on the housing 14 by the individuals 11 and 12 allows for conditioning and strengthening of the arms, upper torso, and legs of the individuals 11 and 12. It should be understood that the housing 14 may be provided with additional handles (not shown) to accommodate more than two individuals.

[0015] The housing 14 and the handles 16 and 18 may be fabricated from any suitable material such as canvas, rubber, or any polymeric material. However, the housing 14 and the handles 16 and 18 are preferably constructed from a resilient material having an elastomeric memory which allows the housing 14 and the handles 16 and 18 to return to their original shape after being stretched or compressed.

[0016] As more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the housing 14 has a fluid retaining chamber 20 adapted to receive fluid. The fluid may be any substance that flows and takes the shape of the fluid retaining chamber 20, such as a liquid, a gas, sand and the like. The fluid is disposed in the fluid chamber 20 in an amount sufficient to provide the housing 14 with a predetermined weight. The size of the housing 14 and the capacity of the fluid retaining chamber 20 can vary widely so as to provide an apparatus suitable for use by individuals of various size and strength. That is, for children the housing 14 would be small in size and may have an empty fluid retaining chamber 20. In contrast, the housing 14 for men would be larger and the fluid retaining chamber 20 may contain a large volume of fluid to increase the weight of the apparatus 10.

[0017] The housing 14 is provided with an opening 22 (FIG. 2) which is in fluid communication with the fluid retaining chamber 20 so that fluid can be introduced into or withdrawn from the fluid retaining chamber 20. A removable plug and/or cap 24 (FIG. 3) is provided for sealing the opening 22. A valve stem and the like may also be used to seal the opening. It should be understood that though the preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 2 with an opening 22, the housing 14 may be continuous without an opening wherein the fluid is disposed within the fluid retaining chamber 20 during construction of the apparatus 10.

[0018] The apparatus 10 further may include a frame 26 embedded within the housing 14 for increasing the structural integrity of the housing 14. Any suitable construction may be used so that the frame 26 supports the housing 14 in order to provide structural integrity to the housing 14.

[0019] The frame 26 is shown as having a cylindrical body portion 27 providing support for the housing 14 and two handle portions 28 and 30 providing support for the handles 16 and 18 extending from the housing 14. The frame 26 may be constructed into any desired shape such as an oval, ellipse, or square. However, the frame 26 is desirably provided with a configuration corresponding to the peripheral configuration of the housing 14.

[0020] The body portion 27 of the frame 26 is desirably constructed from a material such that the body portion 27 of the frame 26 is able to be compressed and extended repeatedly without degrading the structure of the frame 26, without breaking or twisting, and also without looping. Looping is a tendency of a circular frame to form a figure eight when opposing sides are drawn forward, or away from each other. The resilient nature of the frame 26 allows the body portion 27 of the frame 26 to return to its original shape after being distorted by individuals 11 and 12. However, it should be understood that the body portion 27 of the frame 26 may also be constructed from a rigid material.

[0021] The two handle portions 28 and 30 are attached to the body portion 27 of the frame 26 to provide structural integrity and support to the handles 16 and 18 of the housing 14. The handle portions 28 and 30 are substantially U-shaped and extend outwardly from the body portion 27 of the frame 26 so as to provide a secure and stable position permitting individuals 11 and 12 to grip the housing 14. The handle portions 28 and 30 may be constructed from the same material as the body portion 27 of the frame 26, especially when continuously constructed as part of the body portion 27 of the frame 26. However, the handle portions 28 and 30 may also be rigid and may be attached to the body portion 27 of the frame 26 by rivets, screws, or any other suitable connector. The handle portions 28 and 30 function to desirably prevent any substantial distortion. It should be noted that two handle portions are shown for illustrative purposes only and that the number of handle portions provided may vary with different embodiments of the apparatus 10 depending upon the number of handles provided on the frame 26 of the apparatus 10.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 4, another embodiment of an apparatus 32 is shown. The apparatus 32 is similar to the apparatus 10 herein before described except as described hereinafter. The apparatus 32 includes a housing 34 and four handles 36, 38, 40, and 42. The apparatus 32 is further provided with a frame 44 having a body portion 45 providing structural integrity and support to the housing 34 and handle portions 46, 48, 50, and 52 providing structural integrity and support to the handles 36, 38, 40, and 42 that extend from the housing 34. The frame 44 is desirably provided with a configuration corresponding to the peripheral configuration of the housing 14.

[0023] The use of the apparatus 10 and 32 is similar. Thus, only the use of the apparatus 10 will be described with reference in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5. The individual 11 grasps the handle 16 and the individual 12 grasps the handle 18. The individuals 11 and 12 each then lift and exert a force against the housing 14 which exerts a force against the opposing individual.

[0024] The apparatus 10 may be used to play a game of skill. A plurality of flags, such as flags 54 and 56 are placed at opposite positions from one starting point (flags 55) so as to define a playing area. The individuals 11 and 12 attempt to maneuver the apparatus 10 and each other from a starting point as indicated by flags 55 toward the flag 54 or 56 behind the individual 11 or 12. For example, as shown, the individual 11 attempts to force the apparatus 10 and thus the individual 12 across an imaginary horizontal line that corresponds with flag 54 and the individual 12 attempts to force the apparatus 10 and thus the individual 11 across the imaginary horizontal line that corresponds with flag 56. A winner is declared when one of the individuals 11 or 12 forces the opposing individual across the imaginary line coinciding with one of the flags 54 or 56. Any number of flags may be used to define a competitive area for any number of individuals. It should be understood that the apparatus 10 may be used in other competitive situations and exercises with or without the use of the flags.

[0025] The game with the apparatus 10 allows each individual 11 and 12 to condition and strengthen the trunk muscles, leg muscles, and muscles of the hands, arms, and wrists. In addition, the apparatus 10 may be used as a diagnostic tool allowing a coach, trainer, or other competitor to observe the competitive nature of at least one of the individuals using the apparatus 10.

[0026] From the above description it is clear that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and to attain the advantages mentioned herein as well as those inherent in the invention. While presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described for purposes of this disclosure, it will be understood that numerous changes may be made which will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and which are accomplished within the spirit of the invention disclosed and as defined in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for conditioning and strengthening at least two individuals while allowing observation of the competitive nature of at least one of the individuals, comprising: a housing defining a fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid such that the housing can be provided with a predetermined weight; and at least two handles extending from the housing, the handles being spatially disposed on the housing so as to permit the individuals to lift the housing and exert opposing forces on the housing.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprises: an effective amount of fluid to provide the housing with the predetermined weight.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least two handles extend outwardly from the housing and are substantially opposite one another.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing and the handles are constructed of an elastomeric material.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprises: a frame embedded within the housing, the frame having a body portion providing structural integrity and support to the housing and at least two handle portions for providing structural integrity and support to the handles extending from the housing.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the housing is provided with an opening for adding and withdrawing fluid and a plug or cap for sealing the opening.
 7. An apparatus comprising: a housing having a fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid to provide the housing with a predetermined weight; a fluid disposed in the fluid retaining chamber in an amount sufficient to provide the housing with the predetermined weight; and at least two handles extending from the housing so as to permit at least two individuals to lift the housing and exert forces on the housing for conditioning and strengthening the individuals, while allowing observation of the competitive nature of the individuals.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the forces exerted on the housing for conditioning and strengthening individuals are opposing.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least two handles extend outwardly from the housing and are substantially opposite one another.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the housing and the handles are constructed of an elastomeric material.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprises: a frame embedded within the housing, the frame having a body portion providing structural integrity and support to the housing and at least two handle portions providing structural integrity and support to the handles extending from the housing.
 12. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the housing is provided with an opening for adding and withdrawing fluid and a plug or cap for sealing the opening.
 13. An apparatus, comprising; a housing; and at least two spatially disposed handles extending from the housing, the handles permitting at least two individuals to lift the housing and exert pulling and pushing forces on the housing.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the housing defines a fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid to provide the housing with a predetermined weight.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein a fluid is disposed in the fluid retaining chamber in an amount sufficient to provide the housing with the predetermined weight.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein at least two handles extend outwardly from the housing and are substantially opposite one another.
 17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the housing and the handles are constructed of an elastomeric material.
 18. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprises: a frame embedded within the housing, the frame having a body portion for providing support to the housing and at least two handles portions for providing support to the handles extending from the housing.
 19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the housing is provided with an opening for adding and withdrawing fluid and a removable plug or cap for sealing the opening.
 20. A method of conditioning and strengthening at least two individuals while allowing observation of the competitive nature of at least one of the individuals, comprising the steps of: providing an apparatus, comprising: a housing defining a fluid retaining chamber adapted to receive fluid such that the housing can be provided with a predetermined weight; a fluid disposed in the fluid retaining chamber in an amount sufficient to provide the housing with the predetermined weight; and at least two handles extending from the housing, the handles being spatially disposed so as to permit the individuals to lift the housing and exert opposing forces on the housing for conditioning and strengthening the individuals, while allowing observation of the competitive nature of the individuals; grasping the handles by the individuals; lifting the housing by the individuals; and exerting opposing forces on the housing by individuals so that muscle groups of the individuals are conditioned and strengthened.
 21. The method of claim 20 further comprises observing the competitive nature of the individuals.
 22. The method of claim 20 wherein the housing is constructed of an elastomeric material and where the method further comprises exerting a force by the individual to attempt to stretch the housing and thus create a resistant biasing force.
 23. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of flags; positioning the flags to define a competition area whereby the winner of the competition is determined by the housing crossing an imaginary line corresponding with one of the plurality of flags; and attempting to move the housing by an individual from a predetermined starting point across the imaginary line of one of the plurality of flags. 